A/N: this chapter is dedicated to all those who waited...and waited...and waited. I appreciate you all so much! I hope you find as much to love in reading this chapter as I did in writing it...there's just a "feeling" with this one! Please enjoy, and thank you as always for your support!
Day Nine
1:30pm
The Nozomi Forest
I'm okay now.
As the truth of those words sunk in, Mai let out a shaky sigh, and unexpectedly another one followed hers. If she wasn't pressed so close, she might not have felt it, but Naru's arm had come around her waist when her arms had wrapped around his neck, and it seemed there wasn't a single place they weren't connected. Her chest rose and fell with his, their hearts beating in a matching staccato rhythm. Mai titled her head up, needing to ask the question burning her tongue—how did you find me?— at the same instant Naru looked down at her. Their noses brushed, the action so intimate, it took the air from her lungs. Mai's world narrowed to just them, hovering in that moment— then jarringly expanded. Before she could draw her next breath, Mai was suddenly being pulled from the stream— straight into a crushing embrace.
"I am never letting you out of my sight again."
"Bou-san?"
So it had been his voice that she had followed.
"What are you doing here?"
The monk held her at arms length, his eyes inspecting her for injury— pausing to send her a look of reproach,
"I could ask you the same thing."
Mai felt her stomach drop, guilt holding her heart in a vice grip.
The last time she had seen him he had warned her to be careful, and this was how they reunited?
Aware of Naru moving around behind her— how much does he know?— she settled for the simplest answer,
"I got lost."
As if reading her thoughts, the monk glanced at their boss, and then back...giving an imperceptible shake of the head. He knows nothing.
"I should have never let you go alone. Naru-chan noticed you were missing and asked where you had gone. I told him you were invited to tea with Madame Miyuki," Bou-san explained for Mai's benefit, filling her in on his cover story, "An hour later you weren't back, so I said I would go get you— but I didn't know the way. Naru did though. We ran into an old woman at the festival grounds who said she had visited the Miyuki House with you, and she was surprised to hear you hadn't come back yet, that she had spoken with Madame Miyuki on the phone and you had left shortly after her. That made me worried, so we started to search the forest...I called for you forever— what happened?"
Mai shivered, flashes of her dream— burning lilies, Mr. Miyuki's tortured expression— dancing before her eyes.
There was movement behind Bou-san, and a jacket was offered to her. In surprise Mai blinked up at Lin, the Chinese man staring down at her.
He came too?
To look for me?
"You're soaking wet. Wear this."
Mai nodded, shrugging out of the water logged denim jacket she had on, allowing Bou-san to engulf her in Lin's suit jacket.
"Nothing happened..." Mai spoke, attempting to find her voice, which was still small and rough from coughing.
Naru stepped around her, his tone was soft, but his words fanned the flames of her guilt.
"Nothing?"
Mai swallowed thickly.
He had found her nearly drowning.
What if he hadn't come?
The idea hung in the air between them like a wall. Mai attempted to meet his eyes, but he didn't stop to face her, instead walking on towards Lin, who shifted his stance, effectively blocking him from her view.
"I was lost," Mai repeated.
The monk beside her gave a penetrating stare— then let out a long sigh and took her hand.
"Come on, let's go. I'd like to get out of here before Ayako sends a search party."
Mai felt disoriented as the monk lead her along the trail she hadn't been able to find herself, her head murky, as if filled with silt. It wasn't until they emerged from the forest, that she became more aware. The warmth of the monk's fingers laced with hers, the drops of water drying on her skin, the sun high in the sky, the red line on the back of Naru's neck. Mai's eyes focused, staring hard at the spot. Blood. It was a scratch, small, but visible. The guilt burning in her chest kindled as she recalled her rescue from the water— her frantic movements.
Because of me?
Mai glanced down at her nails, but the monk immediately called her attention ahead of them.
"What's going on here?"
As they entered the festival grounds, a buzz was growing. A large group had gathered. The four of them skirted the edge of the crowd, but then Mai slowed to a stop, listening. A woman's voice was speaking— unmistakeable.
Madame Miyuki.
"I am one of you. Who knows of Mr. Miyuki's existence better than myself?"
There were murmurs of relief. Through a part in the bodies, the French-Canadian medium was revealed. Mai could see she she had changed from her bed clothes and was now in an emerald blouse— buttoned very loosely, showing off the layers of gold and peal necklaces that fell across her collar bones— tucked into a bohemian skirt, set off with a pair of ivory heels.
"But what about those people? That heartless young man— he wouldn't know a ghost if it jumped him!"
There were louder murmurs, even some jeers. Mai exchanged a look with Bou-san, before her eyes darted to their boss— stuck on the red line.
"I can't speak for them all, but I have met a few members of the paranormal group that Mr. Sachi hired. There is talent. Pas de souci, I will make sure they see what is already there."
There were more questions, protests— but Madame Miyuki had spotted Mai through the crowd, and she excused herself.
"Mon ami," she called, descending upon her, hands clasping her face, "You are— look at you, how are you all wet like this?"
Mai blinked blankly, breathing in floral perfume as the woman fussed over her, brushing her wet bangs off to the side. Out of her peripheral vision, Mai could see Bou-san making an uncertain face, his hand giving a vague tug, as if wondering if he should extract her from this woman— but then the scent of tea invaded her space, and Naru was suddenly at her side, taking her hand from Bou-san.
"It's nothing. Now excuse us, you may like a crowd, but I have no need to be the center of attention."
Mai's body jolted as if an electric current ran through it— Naru's hand was holding hers— but confusion muddled her excitement. Glancing around for answers, a bigger picture began to take shape. The people who had gathered in front Madame Miyuki, the same ones who had just called her boss heartless, were watching, staring, and already there were shouts of recognition— "that's them, isn't it? The paranormal team?"
Mai squeezed Naru's hand, finally understanding. They were about be ambushed by Nozomi gossips.
"La, what a guard dog," Madame Miyuki murmured mischievously to Bou-san, who had yet to move in all the comotion, "is he always this protective?"
The monk raised his eyebrows at the keen observation. When he didn't immediately answer, the medium gave a good-natured laugh,
"Ah, we haven't met— no? I am Madame Miyuki."
Seeing that he was being left behind, the monk gave a quick, "Takigawa, Honshou", and with a slight bow, followed after Lin.
"What the hell was that?" he protested as he caught up with his group, spitefully snatching Mai's hand out of Naru's.
It was gone in an instant, but Mai thought she saw something icy pass over Naru's features before he threw a look over his shoulder at the disgruntled crowd, "Go back if you want."
"I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about Madame Miyuki and all this—" and Bou-san proceeded to grab at Mai's face, squeezing her cheeks.
Boiling over having her moment with Naru stolen— that Bou-san— Mai swung her elbow out, narrowly missing the monk's side "Let go— what do you mean?"
"I mean didn't she just meet you last night?"
Mai felt the interested stares of Naru and Lin, and leveled the monk with a discouraging one,
"So—?"
"She barely knows you and she acts like she wants to adopt you."
That. Bou-san.
"If anyone gets to call dibbs on adopting you, it would be me— and maybe Ayako. We could share custody, I'd be willing to work something out."
Clenching the hand that held Naru's just moments ago, Mai gave a defiant snort,
"As if, Monk. You're so weird."
Unfazed, Bou-san grabbed at the same hand again, and lead her towards the theater steps, teasing— "But you love it." Once out of ear shot though, the monk's tone changed, and his expression shifted.
"Are you really alright?"
A spark of guilt ignited in Mai's chest, but she smothered it momentarily with a withering glance at her partner,
"Before or after your interruption?"
Bou-san rubbed at the back of his neck, an apologetic smile pulled at his lips, but didn't quite reach his eyes, which stayed serious.
"I'm sorry— I am— but you know I wasn't asking about that. What actually happened in that forest?"
Mai counted the steps ahead of her until the top. Ten. She had so much to tell, but there was no time.
"I saw Mr. Miyuki."
Bou-san's eyes widened,
"How?"
"In a dream."
The monk blinked at her, "You decided to just...take a nap?"
Mai nudged his shoulder. Five more steps.
"No. I got lost— I did— and tired, so I sat down...and the dream sort of...came over me."
"What did you dream of?"
"Mr. Miyuki. He lead me out of the forest. To the lily fields. I've never seen them before Bou-san, they were amazing, but then...they caught on fire. There was smoke everywhere. Mr. Miyuki wanted to warn me of something—"
Bou-san halted them at the top of the stairs, his hand squeezing hers tightly.
"Warn you? Of what?"
Mai glanced behind them. Naru and Lin were climbing the steps.
No time.
"He said to be careful."
"I said the same thing to you when you left this morning."
Mai nodded, averting her gaze.
"I remember."
"And then I find you drowning."
Mai's gaze snapped back to the monk in guilty reassurance,
"I wasn't going to— Naru was there just in time—"
"Just in time. You almost made me have that conversation with him."
What would I even say to Naru if something were to happen to you?
"It was an accident," she protested weakly.
"So was what happened to Nari."
Mai faced the monk in earnest,
"You think there's a connection?"
The monk tilted his head at her,
"Better question. What did Madame Miyuki say about the other ghost?"
Just a few stairs below, Naru and Lin were closing in. Mai's head gave a quick shake, and in a lowered tone, she answered,
"She's never heard of it."
"Never?"
At the monk's troubled expression, she could tell there were more questions waiting on the tip of his tongue— how could Madame Miyuki not know of the other ghost? What could they do now? How could they reveal the other ghost without exposing Mr. Miyuki?—but there was no time for that, and she tugged his sleeve to redirect the conversation,
"Do you think...that's what he was warning me of?"
"Why not? There's a dangerous spirit haunting this theater and it's not Mr. Miyuki."
"But we already know that, why warn me?"
The monk's gaze darkened,
"Think about it."
Mai swallowed, her throat going dry,
"You think I'm in danger?"
"Mai, you almost drowned today."
"That was an accident—"
"It's just like he said, you need to be careful—"
"Be careful of what?"
Bou-san straightened up, words dying on his lips at Lin's intrusion.
Mai shot the monk a panicked look, but the next instant he was pulling her against his side, throwing a protective arm around her shoulders.
"Those damn double doors," he answered, and just like that, he guided Mai towards them.
With mild regret Mai thought of the breakfast she had eaten at Madame Miyuki's table— then she took the plunge.
Cool sweat mixed with the water clinging to her bangs. The room swayed, but Bou-san's hold was firm. He let out a groan.
"So the third time's not a charm...how are you doing?"
Mai closed her eyes and exhaled a long breath,
"I've been better."
"You going to make it?"
Blindly she made to elbow the monk, but he dodged her.
"I'll take that as a yes. Come on, let's get you to base, you're creating a puddle."
Entering base, Mai was greeted by a sharp curse, and then a set of manicured hands captured her face.
"Hey—" she protested, attempting to free herself, but Ayako held fast, examining her with little mercy, tilting her head left and right.
"You look pathetic," she commented, "You're pale, do you feel faint?"
"She just came through the double doors," Bou-san answered helpfully, navigating around the two as they took up space at the doorway.
"You're soaking wet," Masako observed, standing from the couch beyond Ayako, and crossing towards Mai. From her sleeve she pulled out a silken handkerchief and extended it. For a moment Mai felt a rush of gratitude— but then she noticed the scent of tea. Stepping into the room, Naru accepted Masako's handkerchief, dabbing at his hairline.
That Masako.
"Thank you, Hara-san."
Ayako's sharp eyes flicked between their boss and Mai. Despite the worry etched in her expression, a small amused smile tugged at her lips.
"Don't you two know skinny dipping is done without your clothes on?"
From somewhere near the kitchenette there was the sound of Bou-san choking.
That Ayako.
"Actually, Mai nearly drowned this afternoon."
Naru.
Mai flinched at his cold tone.
Masako's gasp was loud in the silence. Bou-san ceased coughing.
The miko's smile vanished. Her hands fell from Mai's face.
"Oh my god, what the hell happened out there?"
"Shouldn't she be seen by a doctor?"
John?
Mai tore her eyes away from the searching look Ayako was pinning her with, meeting the young's priest concerned stare.
"John's right, go and tell Dr. Okuchi that he needs—"
"It's already done," Lin spoke, coming up behind them, "I've called for him. Matsuzaki-san, why don't you make Mai comfortable while she waits?"
Ayako took Mai's arm and steered her towards the nearest couch, surprising Mai by sinking down to kneel in front of her instead of sitting. The miko's hands returned to Mai's face, but this time they were soft. Like Madame Miyuki, she fussed over her wet bangs, and rubbed her thumbs at Mai's cheeks.
"Your skin is cold," she murmured.
Mai, who had never seen such an unguarded expression on the woman's face, felt a fresh surge of guilt.
"It was an accident, there was a stream— and I fell in, but I'm okay. Naru saved me," she explained, determined to put the miko's mind at ease.
"We'll let the doctor decide," was Ayako's firm answer as she took up Mai's wrist to read her pulse.
"Can I get you anything?" John asked, coming to hover near Mai.
Masako passed by with an answer, "I'll make some hot tea."
Mai looked up at the medium with a kinder gaze than she had minutes before, appreciative.
"I'll help you," John announced, following Masako's lead.
It was then that the couch sank next to Mai, and a dish towel was dropped over her head.
"It's not a fancy handkerchief, but it should do the job," Bou-san said, rubbing at Mai's damp hair.
While Ayako bickered with the monk over his toweling technique, Mai's eyes traveled the room, slipping past John and Masako standing at the kitchenette, landing at the CCTV screens Naru sat in front of, his back towards her. Even at this distance, Mai could make out the scratch on his neck, and she frowned. Ayako caught the look.
"What's wrong?"
"Shouldn't someone check on Naru?"
Ayako shrugged, and seeming satisfied with Mai's pulse, released her wrist.
"Why? You're the one that almost drowned, but he has Lin, and don't delude yourself— I'm sure that tea Masako's making isn't only for you."
Mai scoffed and stuck out her tongue, but her gaze still lingered on the red line.
Dr. Okuchi arrived as the tea kettle began to whistle, but he wasn't alone. Madame Miyuki accompanied him, an anxious look marring her attractive features.
"The doctor is for you, mon ami?"
"This is the patient?" Dr. Okuchi echoed, looking to Lin for confirmation, which he gave with a nod.
Ayako stood as the doctor approached, and moved to take the seat next to Mai, despite Bou-san already sitting there. The monk's protests fell on deaf ears, as she began explaining Mai's condition, practically perched on his lap.
"She needs her lungs checked. I'm concerned about a submersion injury."
The doctor's wise stare turned from Mai, whom he was standing before, to the miko who had successfully won her seat from Bou-san, the monk hanging off the edge of the couch.
"I thought you said you needed a doctor? This woman seems to have things figured out. A submersion injury you say? There was a drowning incident?"
"Yes, she fell into a stream this afternoon."
There was sharp intake of breath,
"That's why you were all wet?" Madame Miyuki exclaimed, her brows furrowed, taking the armchair nearest Mai. Her gaze then moved across the room towards Naru, "He saved you."
It wasn't a question.
Mai's stare followed the medium's, and with surprise she found her eyes locking with her boss.
"Ah, a rescue. Very good. Glad to hear that Shibuya-san has made a full recovery from his own ailments, as I said he would. Now young lady, I need to take a listen..."
Dr. Okuchi held out a stethoscope to Mai's chest.
"Hm, your heart rate seems a bit fast...are you nervous?"
Mai broke her gaze with Naru, her cheeks heating up.
"It's perfectly normal of course, but no need to worry. I'm just going to check your lungs now..."
The doctor moved the stethoscope, and instructed Mai to breath deeply. Mai complied, though self-consciously, under the weight of several stares.
"How is she?"
Madame Miyuki spoke at the same time as Ayako. The miko made a face, crossing her arms.
The doctor pulled back nodding, "Sounds all clear."
There was a release of tension through out the room.
"Of course, I recommend monitoring her condition for the next twenty-four hours, just to be safe. If she were to develop a fever or difficulty breathing, she would need to be seen right away."
"Naturally. Thank you Okuchi-sama, I will look after Mai-chan closely," Madame Miyuki answered.
Ayako's lips parted in offense, nudging Mai with her elbow, she leaned towards her as if she meant to whisper, but spoke at a normal volume,
"Why is she here again?"
That Ayako.
Madame Miyuki smiled over at the priestess.
"Oh, pardon. My worry for our dear Mai-chan has distracted me from the real purpose of my visit."
Mai stilled.
She knew exactly what that purpose was.
The other ghost.
Mai sat forward in her seat, her eyes meeting the woman's, silently imploring her.
Don't say it...don't say it...
"But I for one, am not someone who shows up empty handed," the woman stood and reached out to gently pat Mai's cheek, "You have not eaten lunch yet, mon ami?"
Mai shook her head no, daring to let out the breath she was holding. Satisfied with this, Madame Miyuki looked to the doctor, who had gathered his medical bag.
"Okuchi-sama, I will walk you out," she announced. At the door, she paused to address the rest of the group with a wink, "I will be back soon with better manners."
Ayako's scoff cut through the silence left in the woman's wake.
"Who does she think she is?"
Mai sat back with relief,
"Madame Miyuki. Remember? You met her last night."
"Hey—" Ayako scolded, forcing Mai to sit up again, "you're getting the couch all soggy. And I didn't ask who she was—"
"Who does she think she is?" Bou-san joined in, standing from the couch, incredulous, "I will look after Mai-chan closely. I'm sorry, was she the one carrying you home in the rain? Rubbing your back when you threw up?"
Mai frowned at the mention of her pork episode. She grabbed the monk's hand and squeezed it, hoping to calm him, but he refused be soothed. On her left, Ayako seemed equally fired up.
"And I suppose she's been doing Mai's laundry? Bandaging her every bump and bruise? Obviously she's not watching that closely, because she's left her to catch a cold," Ayako emphasized, plucking at Mai's damp tank top, "I'm going to get you a change of clothes."
"I'll go with you, Naru should change as well," Lin spoke, leaving the tea Masako handed him behind, as he joined the miko.
John approached Mai with a cup just for her, taking the spot vacated by Ayako. Mai thanked him, warming her cold fingers against the porcelain.
Masako crossed the room after carefully delivering Naru's cup. Their boss hadn't moved from in front of the CCTV screens since they had returned, sitting with his back facing them once again. Mai could see him scrolling through hours of footage.
Why?
"So, why did you disappear this time?"
Mai jumped at Masako's direct question, so absorbed in following Naru's movements, her eyes flicking to the line of red.
"What?"
"Last night at dinner. This morning during our investigation. You just disappear, where did you go?"
Mai's gaze fixed on the medium's challenging stare.
"I was invited to tea at Madame Miyuki's," she answered, sticking to Bou-san's cover story.
"Hm, invited to dinner...invited to tea...must be nice to have connections in Nozomi."
Mai felt herself bristle, was that a jab at her relationship Madame Miyuki?
Mai pursed her lips,
"I can't help it if I'm popular," she murmured into her tea.
"But you can spare us from running all over looking for you, wondering if we're going to find you in one piece. Do us a favor and tell us the next time you're going to disappear."
Masako's rebuke hit its target. Mai lowered her tea cup, guilt blooming in her chest. Uncertainly, she glanced from the medium, to John and Bou-san who sat next to her on the couch.
"I'm sorry for worrying you. It was supposed to be...quick. I just got lost on the way back."
Masako stirred her tea, letting out a dismissive exhale.
"Never mind me, save your apologizes for Ayako. She's the one stuck attending to you, and it looks like she missed a spot."
Mai blinked and followed her gaze to her knee, which showed an angry red scrape.
Bou-san made a noise of surprise, and began a bumbling search for a band-aid. It took Ayako's return to find one. The miko walked in triumphantly holding up a strappy black sun dress with sunflowers printed across it.
"Your suitcase was empty— big surprise— but I still had this clean. Use Nari's dressing room and put it on. Hey, where did that come from...?"
"I must of bumped it on the bank of that stream," Mai answered, accepting the dress, glancing at the cut.
"Go, and take this with you," Ayako instructed, pushing ointment and few band-aids into Mai's hand.
"And me too," Bou-san chimed in, coming up beside Mai, looping his arm through hers, and leading her out of base.
"When I said I was never going to let you out of my sight again, I meant it."
"Bou-san, I have to get changed."
"There's some wiggle room. I'll wait outside the door."
Mai sighed, resigned to her fate, and allowed the monk to guide her down the halls of the Miyuki theater...until he had to pause to admit he had no idea where they were going.
Mai hesitated. She had been to the dressing room in question exactly once.
"This way...I think."
"You think?"
"I'm pretty sure."
"You've been before?"
"With Masako. It wasn't planned...we just ended up there."
The monk sent her a sideways glance,
"Sounds like a good time."
"About as good as you're imagining. It was the day we fell through the stage."
Bou-san sucked a breath through his teeth,
"I almost forgot. Stop that—" he scolded, pinching her shoulder.
Mai swatted his hand away and shot him an offended look,
"Stop what?"
"Stop having accidents."
"As if I can help it Monk. They're called accidents for a reason."
"Try harder. For me. I beg."
Mai put on an annoyed face, but inside that reoccurring wave of guilt rose again. She gave his arm an extra squeeze,
"I'll do my best."
More bickering and several hall lengths later, Mai's footsteps began to slow. A door with a gold name plate came into view, fancy letters spelled out: Mr. Joji Sachi. This was it. Nari's temporarydressing room, graciously given for her use after the spirit of Mr. Miyuki had destroyed hers on the first day of the case.
"We're here," Mai announced, coming to a stop.
"That's not Nari's name," the monk pointed out.
"She's borrowing it."
Mai released Bou-san's arm, adjusting her hold on Ayako's dress.
"Can you even get in?" he persisted, peering past her. And without another word, he reached for the door handle and gave it a twist. It opened easily.
"Guess they left it unlocked."
The room beyond was what Mai remembered. Spacious, but empty— only essential pieces of furniture filling the space: a couch, armchairs, a small table, dressing vanity, full length mirror, and a tiny kitchenette.
"Smells like stale perfume in here..." Bou-san commented, leaning his head through the door.
Mai nudged him out of the way and stepped into the room,
"I'll be right back."
"I'll be right here."
As she shut the door, the monk threw out a quick, "don't get lost in there!"
"As if, Bou-san."
Almost complete darkness engulfed Mai. She had forgotten about the velvet green curtains that hung in front of the windows. Without the oil lamps to light her way, Mai shuffled her way across the room, running her hip into one of the armchairs. Mai recalled the last time she had visited, there was a sea of rose bouquets scattered about the room, and she moved even more carefully, hoping to avoid kicking one over...
Finally, (thankfully without incident) she reached the windows and threw back one of the curtains. Afternoon sun illuminated the rest of the room behind Mai. It was now that she could see that the many many bouquets weren't there at all. They had been taken away...all excepting one.
Mr. Sachi's.
His gift to Nari sat precariously on the dressing table, so large that it hung over the edge, a few dozen roses filling a vase of blue glass. Mai approached the bouquet, her mood withering much like roses before her, who had turned brown and dry at the lack of attention. Mai stood staring, a weight settling in the pit of her stomach as she thought of the woman whom the roses where meant for. Madame Miyuki's words echoed in her head.
Not all fate is blessed...
"Hey. You're thinking awfully loud in there. What's on your mind?"
Mai startled at Bou-san's sudden interruption. Shaking herself, she attempted to pull herself from emotions she knew were not hers.
"Tangled strings," she answered, picturing the red thread that connected Nari to a man who was soon to be married to another woman.
It's not fair.
"Is your dress giving you that much trouble?"
Mai actually cracked a smile, glancing down at the tie straps on Ayako's sundress.
"No, not the dress."
And remembering what she had come for, Mai began undressing.
"Then what?" the monk asked from outside the door.
Mai stepped out of her wet skirt with great relief,
"Remember when we met Wise Obasan?"
"How could I forget?"
"Apparently she doesn't really read palms."
"She's a fraud as well as an old crow? Knew it."
Mai stepped into Ayako's sundress,
"Madame Miyuki told me what she's actually looking at is a person's red string of fate."
"Red string of fate, hm? Do you believe in that kind thing?"
"I don't know..." Mai murmured, her gaze settling on the dying bouquet once again, "I believe in ghosts, and dreams..."
"Yeah, but a fated bond between two people, tying them out of all of the billions of people on this earth together— sounds like a romantic fairytale to me."
"Or a nightmare," Mai countered, a little more bitterly then she meant to, turning away from the bouquet.
There was a pause and then,
"You're thinking of Nari and Mr. Sachi, aren't you?"
Mai sighed, gathering up her wet clothes,
"Has there still been no announcement?"
"Hm?"
"Mr. Sachi hasn't said anything about his engagement to Miss Miyuki?"
"Haven't really seen him—I was a little busy this morning— but no. No news."
Mai blew her bangs out of her eyes, irritation creeping in,
"So that's it. They're just going to sit on their little secret, while Nari suffers. No one in the Miyuki household knows. You should have heard them this morning, talking about that American."
"Mr. California?"
"Yes, apparently he even wrote to Mr. Miyuki to ask for Miss Miyuki's hand in marriage. They were confused about the ring Miss Miyuki wore last night— Mr. Miyuki saw it and thought she was announcing her engagement to Mr. California, but we know who gave her that ring."
"Are you decent yet? As interesting as this conversation is, I'd rather not have it through the door."
Mai opened the door and the monk immediately took her clothes from her,
"Better?"
"Better."
"Good, now park yourself on that couch so I can bandage up that knee."
Mai sat herself on the arm of the nearest couch, chewing her lip. Bou-san dropped her wet clothes in an unceremonious heap and took a band-aid and ointment from her.
"It really bothers you, the engagement," the monk remarked, couching down to tend to her cut.
Mai frowned,
"The secrecy bothers me."
"They'll probably do the big reveal tonight. They both love drama. They can announce their engagement at the same time they announce the theater isn't closing."
Mai shifted, the idea of the theater being saved giving her anxious hope,
"You really think Miss Miyuki's changed her mind?"
The monk looked up and answered with certainty,
"Sachi gets the girl and the theater."
Mai nodded, recalling the seemingly propheticlore the monk was building surrounding Mr. Sachi and Miss Miyuki.
Think about it. Sachi is in a relationship with Miss Miyuki. It's only natural that this scenario would change the case. I can't believe Ayako could see it, and I couldn't. He gets the girl and the theater...
"Enough about the theater— whatyou should beworried about is Madame Miyuki. What possessed you to invite her here?"
Mai was startled out of her thoughts by the question— the monk standing from his crouched position, eyeing her with more than a little judgment.
In avoidance, Mai's gaze dropped to the band-aid neatly covering her cut, "I didn't. She invited herself."
"You planning on finally letting the cat out of the bag then?"
Mai pulled a face, slipping off the arm of the couch.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Despite their bickering, the monk took her hand and lead her out of the dressing room, closing the door behind them.
"I mean that woman's a loose cannon. What if she outs your secret?"
"It's not my secret."
"But you're keeping it—"
"Because he wants me to— you've never seen his expression Bou-san—"
"—even though it's dangerous for everyone involved—"
Mai pursed her lips, momentarily silenced by a stab of guilt. As if sensing this, the monk relented, softening a bit,
"It's pretty unfair, hm? You meet the sprint of Mr. Miyuki, but he swears you to secrecy. You can't tell Naru of his presence, so you can't tell him what he's communicated with you. That the theater is haunted, but not by him. So this other— dangerous— spirit, roams free. I don't like it, but there must be a reason for keeping his secret...right?"
Mai bit her lip, her confidence wavering.
She had never been given a reason.
If Bou-san was right, and the theater remained open after that day...what kind of spirit would they knowingly be exposing the people of Nozomi to?
If...
Mai had never told Naru of her experiences.
Naru didn't believe in the haunting.
The theater could still close.
Mai parted her lips— swallowing thickly, uncertainty lodged in her throat.
Mr. Miyuki's last words—be careful— lingered in her mind, but so did his anguished face, the press of his finger to his lips...
"Mai, tell me again— why is Madame Miyuki here?"
Mai blinked, throwing a confused look at the monk.
"I told you, she invited herself."
"Why though?"
"Because..." Mai studied the monk's face— his stare was encouraging— lighter than before, "...of the other ghost."
Bou-san flashed a satisfied grin, "Bingo."
Bingo?
Mai wondered at his thoughts, how different of a direction they had taken from her own.
As if reading her mind, the monk persisted,
"If we aim our cannon just right, it could help us blow this case wide open."
Mai came to a stop in the middle of the hall, Bou-san stopping with her.
"How?"
"Madame Miyuki. She can tell Naru about the other ghost."
"Bou-san...she's never seen the other ghost. Mr. Miyuki didn't tell her about it, he told me."
The monk shrugged,
"So what? The evidence is right here. Let her find out for herself."
"Bou-san..."
The monk started walking again, tugging her along, he sent her an earnest look,
"Mai, think about it. Not only would that prove a haunting, then we could openly hunt for this thing— something I've wanted to do since it gave me a blood bath— and properly exorcise it. The theater can be saved and cleared by tonight, even without Mr. Sachi announcing his engagement."
"But...what if the other ghost doesn't reveal itself to her? We've never actually seen it either..."
There was a beat, and then a heavy hand was ruffling her damp hair,
"You spend too much time with Ayako."
Mai ducked out from under him,
"Excuse me?"
"She's taught you to talk back."
Mai snorted defiantly,
"Has not."
"Has to— see, you're doing it right now— but my point is: it doesn't have to be you."
She turned from monk to stare straight ahead, not much further was their destination, base. Bou-san's words echoed in her head like a hopeful mantra:
It doesn't have to be you.
It doesn't have to be you.
It doesn't have to be you.
Just outside the door to base, the monk gave her hand a reassuring squeeze,
"You keep Mr. Miyuki's secrets, and let me aim the cannon."
Any answer Mai might have had to this was cut off by a cry,
"Mai-chan—" A set of knobby hands clasped at Mai's cheeks and she found herself suddenly face to face with wizened Nozomi seamstress, Hanae, "let me look at you, are you alright? Rosalie-chan said you had an accident?"
Mai smiled as best she could in the old woman's grasp, looking to reassure her,
"I'm okay, really—"
"Ah, Mai-chan— you're back. Good. Hanae, please bring her in so she can eat too."
Mai's face was released and her hand captured— she didn't have even a second to glance at Bou-san before she was being pulled inside. On the threshold, Granny Hanae paused, and Mai immediately saw why. Madame Miyuki had returned with manners— a delicious spread of lunch options covered the coffee table— and with what seemed like the entire tent of Nozomi seamstresses. Wearing vibrant kimonos, the old women dotted the room— some busy carrying in more trays of food, some perched on the couches and arm chairs. One group in particular had formed around John.
"Here, mon ami," Madame Miyuki called, waving her over to small open space on the couch where John's congregation had gathered.
Mai was then handed a plate piled with yakitori skewers, fresh shucked corn, and juicy peach slices.
Hanae smiled down at her,
"Eat well."
"Oh— thank you."
Hanae hovered at her side, and sensing that the woman wouldn't move on until she was sure Mai was in fact eating, Mai began to tuck in. Next to her the coos and cackles of the Nozomi seamstresses filled her ears,
"Cooked it myself, do you like it?"
"Mm, of course. It's very good. Thank you."
"Do you cook, Masako-chan?"
Mai leaned forward in her seat, hoping to get a glimpse of the medium, but her view was blocked by a crowd of scrutinizing wrinkled faces.
"No, not really."
There was a chorus of disapproving tuts.
"Ah— that will never do..."
"You know what they say, the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
"She'll never get there with that approach."
"I don't think that's being very fair. Hara-san has plenty of redeeming qualities."
John's good-natured protest made Mai raise her eyebrows and lean even further forward— but still no luck.
"Oh?"
"Do tell."
"Like what...?"
Mai's ears strained for John's answer, but his reply was cut short by a series of taps at the door.
"Knock, knock— say, what's all this commotion?" Mr. Sachi announced, stepping into the buzzing room.
Commotion.
There were at least twenty people filling the space— something that felt very much like a maximum capacity— each talking over each other, going different directions...
Mai cast a quick glance towards Naru, suddenly curious of how her boss was tolerating it. She found him in the same spot she left him, attention focused solely on the CCTV cameras.
What is he looking for...?
Mai studied his back. He was wearing new clothes, dry replacing the wet. As if drawn towards it, her eyes touched on the red line at the nape of his neck. Just then he turned his head, and Mai's gaze quickly scattered, landing on Mr. Sachi. On his left hand.
Still no ring.
"Joji, bonjour," Madame Miyuki greeted from the couch opposite of Mai, "La, it is no commotion at all. Our seamstresses and I have simply brought lunch. It is hard to work on an empty stomach— no?— and it is my rule to never show up anywhere empty handed."
There came the sound of dishes being moved around, the clatter of silverware, as Bou-san, who sat to Madame Miyuki's right, began filling his second plate...clearly taking advantage of said good manners. Seated to the right of him, Ayako lost no opportunity in scolding the monk while simultaneously stealing his food.
"I apologize for my lack of hospitality, I wasn't expecting you," Mr. Sachi said, offering a gracious bow.
"Ah, no you wouldn't be. I beg pardon, but I am going to be terribly rude and join your paranormal team for the day."
Mr. Sachi rose from his bow in surprise,
"You are?"
Madame Miyuki smiled brighter— there was charm, but also a keenness that couldn't be ignored.
Mai locked eyes with Bou-san across the table, confusion spreading through her.
"Certainly. You see, I am here to represent the concerned citizens of Nozomi—who for their own reasons—don't seem to trust this team and their findings."
Concerned citizens.
Mai was instantly reminded of the scene at the festival grounds— the agitated crowd Madame Miyuki attempted to calm.
"I, however, am a trusted source. I have promised to review the evidence collected thus far, observe investigation practices, and evaluate their supernatural talent."
A chair creaked in the corner of the room. Naru had stood and was now leaning back against the table which held the CCTVs, his arms crossed and his stare intent on Madame Miyuki,
"And what gives you the right to interfere in my team's investigation?"
The medium raised an arch eyebrow at this challenge.
"My husband is the financial backer of this theater and will be the one signing your paychecks, no? He has every right to make sure he is getting the services he's paying for."
"Uh—" Mr. Sachi spoke, addressing Naru, looking to dissipate the tension that had risen, "it's perfectly fine, let's just consider her a liaison to me."
"A liaison. Perfect, yes", Madame Miyuki agreed, her lips quirking in satisfaction, "Now if you please, I would like a copy of your case notes."
"Ah, I need a copy as well," Mr. Sachi chimed in, approaching the coffee table to select something from the mouth watering assortment there. He was startled in the next moment as his hand was slapped away and a chorus of protest started.
"Cheapskate!"
"Shameless!"
"Not even a crumb until you pay up!"
Madame Miyuki's smile had faded and she tilted her head inquiringly at the playwright,
"Joji, what's this about?"
Hanae stepped forward, effectively silencing the room.
"He hasn't paid us in almost six months."
Madame Miyuki's expression shifted into a frown,
"Joji, can you explain this?"
Mr. Sachi adjusted his cufflinks, refusing to meet the admonishing glares of the seamstresses surrounding him,
"Do not worry, it is all in hand. I have been keeping track. It's just...the theater has had a tough year financially. It's been difficult keeping up. The sponsor's dinner was a success though, so rest assured you will all be paid every cent. I will bring you the checks tomorrow."
"I don't understand...tough financially? What about the allowance?"
"There were a great many expenses. The festival alone—"
"We always factor in the cost of the festival."
"It was not enough this year."
"Is there any allowance left?"
"None."
Madame Miyuki opened her mouth to persist, but then hesitated. There was now a feeling that this conversation should be had in private.
"I will make sure they are paid tomorrow," Mr. Sachi reassured, finally lifting his attention from his cufflinks.
"Make it today. And bring me the expense reports. I want to see them."
Mr. Sachi nodded curtly,
"Of course. I'll have it ready."
And with that the playwright departed the room.
Madame Miyuki then let out a sigh, clucking her tongue.
"A mistake, no? I will see. You should have told me sooner," she spoke to Hanae who reached out to pat her cheek gratefully,
"You are always so good to us, our Rosalie-chan."
"De rien— it is you who is always so good to me. This lunch was fantastic."
There was a humble murmur of it being nothing much, which Mai immediately denied, supported by Bou-san who had just cleaned his second plate.
With the promise of a paycheck and the satisfaction of a job well done, the old seamstresses began picking up in a pleasant mood, throwing teasing comments at John, which he accepted with easy grace.
Lin, who had been gathering the case notes since they had been requested, now delivered them to Madame Miyuki.
"Ah, thank you. Since I am to be apart of your team, I am so curious to get to know you and your work."
The woman looked up from the file in her hand and smiled sociably across the coffee table,
"I know Mai-chan,évidemment.And thanks to our seamstresses, I know of Father Brown."
John met the woman's smile with a boyish one.
"To own the truth, I was raised Catholic— fascinating, no? I offer my deepest respect for you Father, a priest at such a young age. What part do you play in a paranormal group?"
"He's an exorcist."
At Naru's answer, Madame Miyuki's lips parted in surprise.
"What is it? What did he say...?" one of the older seamstresses, hard of hearing, demanded.
"He's an exorcist."
"Our Blue Eyes?"
"How brave!"
"Gives me the chills..."
There was an awed pause, and then the women began to move around again, but this time there was no teasing.
Madame Miyuki inclined her head towards John,
"A vital role to play," she acknowledged, "I suppose Shibuya-san must have been at great pains to recruit you?"
"It was fortunate chance that brought us together," Naru spoke, his tone making it clear that that was the end of the subject.
Madame Miyuki leaned back in her seat, looking over her shoulder at the head of SPR, and Mai followed her gaze.
"Shibuya-san and I have been fortunate enough to meet quite a few times since last night..."
Mai felt her cheeks warm, recalling that first meeting.
Sitting in that VIP room at the sponsor's dinner with Madame Miyuki— dreaming. Naru's unexpected intervention, waking her and whisking her away. She only works for me...
"So that means there is no need for introduction there..." Madame Miyuki continued, waving the idea off and instead turning to her right, "but we have not been properly introduced, no?"
Ayako was being addressed, and in between the bent bodies of the seamstresses busy around them, Mai could feel her annoyance rolling off her in waves. It might have been an entertaining sight...but Mai's attention was still stuck—fixed— on a red line across the room.
"Bou-san...pass me a band-aid and that ointment," Mai whispered, slipping out of her seat as Ayako begrudgingly introduced herself. The monk gave a questioning look, but complied easily enough— distracted by the scene playing out next to him.
It was like an itch under her skin. She couldn't stop thinking about it. The red line.
Mai approached Naru while behind her the rest of the room remained preoccupied with getting to know each other. It was Lin's turn now. She could hear his brusque answers to Madame Miyuki's questions.
Purposefully, Mai set the band-aid ointment on the table holding the CCTV cameras.
"Here..." she announced, feeling strangely apologetic. Naru didn't move, his focus still captured by the CCTV screens before him. Mai's eyes strayed to the offending mark.
Because of me?
"I said, here," Mai tried again, more and more bothered the longer she stared at that red line.
An absent thank you was his only response, having not even glanced at the band-aid and ointment.
At a dead end, Mai made to move on—I tried— but then hesitated, noticing Naru's hair was still damp.
From the water.
Which he rescued her from.
Guilt simmering in her chest, Mai stepped closer, and picking up the ointment, she tapped him on the shoulder with it.
"Put this on."
"I'm busy."
"You're bleeding."
"It's fine."
Mai's stare traced the cut, the only blemish against his white skin.
So that's how you're going to be?
There was a fraction of a second of deliberation— then she opened the ointment.
At contact, goosebumps erupted his across skin, the hairs at the nape of his neck rising.
Oh? The ointment must be cold.
"What are you doing?"
The question was spoken so that only Mai, standing inches from him, could hear. It threw her off kilter— had she ever heard that tone from him before...?
Clearing her throat and swallowing, she attempted to answer normally, but somehow it came out the same way— just between them.
"I don't want it to scar."
"Scar?"
"The scratch. It was an accident, earlier when you—"
"Don't concern yourself."
Ah, there he is.
Mai stuck out her tongue at the back of his head, continuing to dab at the cut she was treating. Back on familiar ground with him, she answered easily.
"Don't be stubborn. I'm almost done."
Mai pulled back to examine her work. Satisfied, she leaned back in, doing what Ayako had done for her a thousand times before. Lips hovering above his skin, Mai blew on the cut.
There was a change in Naru's breathing, his head turned— startled?— and Mai suddenly found herself nose to nose with her boss for the second time that day.
Mai jerked back, face on fire. Without thinking she shoved the tube of ointment at him, speaking in flustered rush: "do it yourself if you don't like it."
And with that, she retreated to her place on the couch, determined to resist the lure of the red line.
"Mai-chan? Are you well? You look flushed, mon ami," Madame Miyuki fussed— pausing mid-conversation with Bou-san— taking notice of her as they were once again seated across from each other.
Now more than ever, Mai wished for a cup of tea to hide behind, but lacking that, she just shook her head in dismissal, "I'm fine..."
Mai's reply was drowned in Ayako's loud scoff, and the next thing Mai knew, the priestess was leaning over the table at her, holding her in place as she pressed a firm hand to her forehead,
"Don't be stupid. If you're running a fever that's a dangerous sign."
"I'm not being stupid— I'm fine."
Ayako grunted, apparently satisfied that she wasn't, in-fact, burning up, and sat down...but not without one last scrutinizing look,
"If it's not a fever, why are you so red then?"
That Ayako.
"You said you've been to Koyasan?" Bou-san interjected with perfect timing, speaking with Madame Miyuki. Mai mouthed a quick and grateful thank you at him, before sitting back, avoiding Ayako's persistent stare.
Madame Miyuki nodded,
"It's always a wonderful experience, Hiroshi and I make the trip once every few years or so...I couldn't imagine growing up in such a place. How amazing."
The monk gave a simple shrug,
"It's what happens when your parents own a temple there."
"Oh? What kind of temple...shukubo?"
"Yes, a small one."
"Fantastic. Remind me to ask for the details, Hiroshi and I could stay there our next visit. Do you ever go back?"
"Not lately..."
"La, I'm sure your parents miss your help. When did you leave?"
"When they told me I couldn't play my CDs."
Madame Miyuki's melodious laugh filled the room.
Ayako snorted,
"He's being serious. He left and joined a rock band."
Unabashed, the monk just shrugged again.
Madame Miyuki raised her hands, "Each to their own."
"Speaking of such, what is our plan for today? I'd just as soon be back at the Inn if this is just going to be some kind of social hour," Masako spoke bluntly, her gaze flicking between Lin and Naru, who did manage to turn away from the cameras.
Mai shrank further back in her seat, now avoiding Naru as well as Ayako, but she listened interestedly for the answer.
What is the plan?
Madame Miyuki's presence made Mai feel as if she were sitting on a live wire. Anxiously, her foot tapped the floor.
She had seen the medium that morning to confirm the existence of the other ghost, but when she couldn't— Madame Miyuki's intention was to visit the theater to see for herself.
Why then had she told the whole room she was there on behalf of Nozomi and that she's investigating them?
What about the other ghost?
The words loose canon came to mind.
Pulling herself from her distracted thoughts, Mai locked eyes with her partner.
Aim well, Monk.
"Ah, touchéHara-san. The daylight is wasting, as they say," Madame Miyuki agreed amiably, "I have now just about finished all the case notes, and read some curious things I would like to check out."
"Which are...?" Naru remarked coolly.
There was still a defiant edge to his tone, despite Madame Miyuki's newly minted liaison status, but the woman seemed not to pay it any mind.
"I'd like to see these hot spots of activity. There is a hall of mirrors mentioned, as well as an accident with the stage...hm, two accidents actually— with what happened to Mai-chan and Hara-san, and then our dear Nari? And let us not forget the freakish blood rain that night, la! But, let me see...what else? Ah, yes. Nari's powder room was destroyed, you keep having some trouble with the entrance doors...and there was a sighting."
Madame Miyuki paused here, looking up from the file in her hand with bright inquiring eyes.
Sighting.
Mai's stomached dropped
How many sightings had she had?
Countless.
But no one else knew.
No one can know.
"That incident was unsubstantiated," Masako spoke, her disdain at the idea clear. Still, Madame Miyuki titled her head at the young medium,
"You think so? Interesting. Well, like I said, I'd love to see for myself."
Masako threw another look toward Naru, who nodded in assent, and then she stood, the folds of her kimono rustling with the movement,
"Fine, we can stop by that hall first. I wish you luck, no one has seen even a glimpse since."
Mai let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding as the rest of SPR stood around her, following Masako's lead. At the touch of a warm hand on her shoulder, Mai found Bou-san hovering beside her.
"Earth to Mai. You coming?"
"Oh, yeah."
The two of them passed the table with the CCTVs on the way out, but Naru was no longer staring into them— instead he was pouring over a long sheet of detailed paper, Lin shoulder to shoulder with him. Neither made any move to join them.
Blueprints?
"What are you doing?" Mai questioned, narrowing her eyes, attempting to get a better view. There was a pause, as if neither would answer, but then Lin turned towards her,
"Investigating. We're going to stay back, you go on ahead."
Mai opened her mouth in protest—investigating what?— but then, like a magnet, her gaze found the red line across Naru's neck, and suddenly her face was burning. She promptly ducked her head and made for the door, pulling Bou-san along.
"Fine then, keep your secrets..." Mai muttered, stalking down the hall, trailing after the others.
"Is that why you look like a tomato? You're mad?"
"You saw it Bou-san, Naru has been glued to those CCTV screens all afternoon. And now it's the blueprints. They're hiding something."
To her right the monk shot her a wry glance,
"Yeah...but you can't get too mad, because so are we."
Mai crossed her arms, feeling unreasonable, as with each blink, she couldn't seem to clear her vision of that scratch on Naru's neck.
"There's a difference. I'm sworn to secrecy, he's not."
The monk, reading her mood, knowing when to raise the white flag, pulled her back into his side, ruffling her hair,
"Oy— don't let this lover's quarrel distract you from what's really important. Our loose cannon is ready to be fired, we have to make sure to aim her the right direction."
Mai blinked, staring ahead.
Madame Miyuki.
This was it.
It doesn't have to be me.
"It can't be that hard," Bou-san persisted, speaking low as they approached the group, which had stopped in the hall just outside the foyer, "Madame Miyuki knew and cared about Mr. Miyuki in life, she ought to be relieved to know that it's another spirit doing such destruction to this theater, she just needs to see the evidence for herself."
"Then what...?"
"She reports it to Naru— which makes one less secret we're keeping, and you can be as mad as you want."
Mai scoffed and made to elbow the monk, but he released her with perfect timing, jogging over to throw an arm around John's shoulders, winking back at her.
"So, we see anything?" the monk asked.
"Of course not," Masako dismissed with irritation.
Madame Miyuki was pacing the hall slowly, taking deliberate steps, her eyes closed.
"You were standing here when Mr. Miyuki materialized?"
"We were walking back to base," Masako answered curtly.
"And then what happened...?"
"Mr. Sachi pushed us out of the way, preventing us from investigating."
Mai frowned, recalling the moment. Her shock at seeing Mr. Miyuki, the transparency of his form...attempting to interact with him— only to have the opportunity snatched away.
That Mr. Sachi.
"That might have been for the best, no? The case notes say his spirit was coming towards you aggressively."
"I wasn't afraid."
Madame Miyuki opened her eyes, a knowing smile coming to her lips,
"Ah, pardon mon ami. I did not mean to imply anything. You are very brave indeed, I see it each week on TV."
Behind Masako, Ayako cracked a smile of her own.
"Oh, a loyal watcher."
Madame Miyuki nodded sincerely,
"You could even say I'm a fan. It's a pleasure to work together. There are so very few talented mediums in the world— we should stick together, hm Masako-chan?"
Masako inclined her head stiffly, "Thank you for watching."
Madame Miyuki's smile spread as she walked back up the hall, towards the foyer, "Tu es mimi. Well, as we have no visitor here, shall we check the doors...?"
Bou-san fell into step beside Mai as the group moved on,
"Looks like you have some competition, she might adopt Masako instead."
"I'm more concerned about our evidence."
The monk dropped his teasing at her serious tone,
"It might not walk out in front of us, but every incident here has been the work of the other ghost...she'll see."
"If you say so..."
"Hey, what did I say about talking back?"
Their bickering ended abruptly as they reached the theater entrance doors. Mai came to a halt, refusing to go any nearer. Standing next to her was Masako, also giving the infamous doors wide berth.
Madame Miyuki picked up on their hesitancy right away, "Oh? Do they really bother you...?"
"Have you never experienced any issue with them?" Bou-san asked.
"What kind?"
"They make me sick to my stomach," Mai explained.
Madame Miyuki frowned slightly, stepping up to the doors. She opened one and leaned against the door frame, facing their group.
"Is everyone affected this way?"
"Yes. I've been fighting a headache all week because of it. We should be compensated for our poor work conditions," Ayako answered, shamelessly.
"We'll just have to see about that. Even the men, then?" Madame Miyuki persisted.
"I get dizzy and there's a buzzing in my ears when I pass through them," John confirmed, with Bou-san nodding in agreement.
"Ah, I do feel it...such a strange pressure in my head..."
Madame Miyuki swayed slightly, and Bou-san was there in an instant, taking her elbow and drawing her away.
"What a gentlemen, thank you," the woman murmured regaining her composure, "how odd, I didn't feel a thing last night."
Ayako and Mai shared a significant look.
They hadn't felt anything then either.
"It doesn't always happen..." Mai shared, thinking also of the night she visited the theater to make Naru tea.
"How could I have not known about this? I wonder how long it has been going on? I will ask Joji when I see him. Hm, after my experience today, I will take the back door when I leave."
"Back door?" Mai and Masako repeated in unison.
How many times had they suffered passing through that front entrance?
They had never been told of another option.
Madame Miyuki who had started to lead them away from the foyer, glanced back at them,
"Yes, there's quite a few. The old cast member and staff entrance near the stage, the service doors, emergency exits...did you not know?"
Mai thought of the blueprints Naru was currently pouring over with more than a little bitterness.
"No, I did not."
The woman gave a pitying smile and clucked her tongue,
"Ah, poor thing. It's been hard on you. Worry not, mon ami, I'll show you the way."
The second Bou-san returned to her side, Mai grabbed at his arm,
"A back door?"
"Hey, don't look at me, I didn't know."
"You think Naru knew?"
"Sure he did," Ayako asserted, aligning herself with them as they passed base. Mai gave it a quick glance— inside she glimpsed her boss, still studying blueprints, "We're all just pawns in whatever experiment he's doing with those doors. I mean, what even were those devices he brought back from Tokyo anyways?"
EMF detectors Lin had called them, but Mai pursed her lips, keeping this to herself— still unsure what they did and what he was using them for.
Another secret he's keeping...
They stopped at the next door they came up to.
"This is it," Madame Miyuki announced, entering the room. Mai hung back, but peered past the woman. She had been there on her first day in Nozomi. Nari's powder room.
Mr. Miyuki's spirit was blamed for over turning furniture, streaking makeup across the walls, and shattering a mirror. What Mai saw now was a tided space, practically empty, the broken furniture absent.
"He was so fond of Nari..." Madame Miyuki murmured, her gaze traveling the dark room, "that he would do anything to disturb her..."
He wouldn't.
As if she couldn't hear her thoughts, Madame Miyuki's pensive stare caught on Mai.
"...doesn't seem like the Takuya Miyuki I've known..." she finished, trailing off.
It's not him.
Leaving Nari's powder room behind, they traveled along halls that seemed to grow, stretching ahead of them into infinity, towards the heart of the theater, to the hall of mirrors. There, Mai watched in fascinated horror as Madame Miyuki stepped directly in front of a gilded mirror— only to have her reflection remain unaffected. It was just like John had reported. The phenomenon they had all experienced so early in the case, had vanished— like a figment of their imagination. Madame Miyuki eventually moved on, but not without dropping some very opinionated comments about Mr. Sachi's taste, saying that she didn't recognize the mirrors, and that Mr. Miyuki would have never installed something so gaudy.
Their next stop was the stage and auditorium. Mai held her breath, finding herself almost as anxious for Madame Miyuki to reveal the mythical back door, as she was to know her thoughts on the other ghost. Her patience was to be tested though, a good amount of paranormal activity had occurred in the space, and she had to wait through the stage boards being inspected, the stage lights discussed, details of the blood rain recounted, and each dressing room back stage revisited— especially the one that had been destroyed. Standing beside her, Masako stood tapping her foot in impatience. For once, Mai could relate. Her eyes strained, staring into the shadowy corners of the auditorium and stage area, but she saw nothing shaped like a door.
Finally, Madame Miyuki's gaze alighted on Mai, and she shared a sage smile,
"Would you like to see the one of the back doors now, mon ami?"
Mai nodded and with mounting curiosity, the group followed the woman's lead, slipping past the row of dressing rooms backstage, to a short, but steep, set of stairs that descended from stage level to ground level— where, outlined in sunlight, was an unmarked door.
"I'll be damned," Bou-san commented, letting out a low whistle.
Unable to help herself, Mai approached the door, and with the briefest pause— bracing still for some kind of effect— her hand grabbed the knob and she twisted. Heat and blinding rays greeted her. A warm breeze tugged at her dress and bangs as she blinked out at the Nozomi forest, which surrounded the theater.
"Well?" Ayako and Masako demanded together.
Mai turned back to them with surprise and relief, "Nothing. I feel fine."
"Nothing?" Ayako repeated in disbelief, taking it upon herself to also step up to the door.
"This is the cast member and staff entrance," Madame Miyuki explained, "wouldn't they have complained if they were feeling ill?"
"The phenomenon only affects people sometimes, through certain doors..." John summarized, his head tilted in thought.
"Is this the only door back here?" Bou-san asked. Mai could hear the wheels turning in his head.
"No, there is the emergency exit, further down, closer to the patron seating."
"Come on John, let's go check it out."
Mai watched the two of them disappear into dim shadow, until a flood of light erupted, illuminating the auditorium.
"Oy, this one is normal too!"
"La, so interesting, no?" Madame Miyuki remarked, her arms crossed and her fingers drumming against her skin, "what can it mean...?"
It's not him.
Bou-san and John returned as Mai pulled the staff entrance door shut. They were doused in contrasting darkness and silence.
"I must thank you for being so obliging in giving me this tour," Madame Miyuki spoke again, "it has been most enlightening, but I somehow feel as if I have more questions now, than answers. Never mind, though. We should be heading back, your boss will be wondering what has happened to us."
Heading back.
To Naru.
Mai's eyes widened, and grateful for the cover of the low light, she shot her partner a distressed look. They needed to talk with Madame Miyuki before she spoke with their boss. What did she think? What would she report? Did she know it was not him?
"Sure, we can head back," Bou-san agreed easily enough, "but we should make one more stop first. There was an incident this morning that hasn't made it into the notes yet."
"Oh? Well then, please show me."
It was the monk that they followed out of the auditorium, Mai's heart beating in double time.
"Where are we going?" she whispered, catching up with his long strides.
"The banquet hall."
Ah, that's right.
"This is our last chance."
"I know. I'm trying to make it count."
There were people when they arrived— some kind of makeshift cleaning team, sweeping up glass, righting the upset tables and chairs. They looked up only briefly when SPR entered, but then when Madame Miyuki appeared, they stopped to bow and offered murmured greetings, which she graciously returned.
A hand covered the medium's mouth as she surveyed the room, "oh la vache..."
"Nothing like it was last night, huh?" Bou-san inferred from her shocked look.
"No..." Madame Miyuki answered, walking towards the isolated VIP table, where she had sat less than twenty-four hours before.
It stood untouched...excepting the large dark letters spelled out across the white table cloth: I AM HERE.
Madame Miyuki traced her fingers along the words, "do you have video footage of what happened...?"
Bou-san rubbed the back of his neck, "We don't. We have limited cameras, and this wasn't considered a hot spot."
"Were there witnesses?"
"Only from the waitstaff that found the room destroyed."
"It's no matter. Is this not evidence enough?" Madame Miyuki declared, tapping the word here.
"Evidence of...?" Masako suddenly asked. There was no mistaking the challenge in her voice.
Mai stiffened, the question was exactly what she wanted to know.
It's not him.
The cleaning team, who had been quietly moving around the room, halted— their heads turned towards Madame Miyuki for her answer.
"The disturbed spirit of our Mr. Miyuki, évidemment."
Mai's stomach dropped. There was a smattering of applause and a cheer from the people surrounding them, but Masako seemed to disregard this, shaking her head.
Madame Miyuki frowned slightly,
"Ah, Masako-chan disagrees..."
"I do. The only person haunting this theater is a desperate playwright."
Madame Miyuki's expression shifted yet again, to one of disbelief, "You mean Joji?"
"Yes, this theater is his livelihood. He would lose everything if it closes."
"Then...that would mean he would be the one behind Nari's powder room, the doors, the mirrors, the blood rain— this mess..."
"Yes," Masako said firmly.
Now Madame Miyuki shook her head, "C'est impossible. What you say makes no sense. Joji Sachi is the one who hired you— if this was lies, would he not get caught? Joji does not need to haunt his theater, because Mr. Miyuki is here," and to punctuate her point, Madame Miyuki brought her hand down on the words written across the table cloth.
Mai felt her stomach twist and churn.
It's not him!
"Hey..." Bou-san spoke, uncomfortably aware of their audience, "I know there are a lot of perspectives to consider—"
"There is only one truth. Mr Miyuki is haunting this theater."
There were more cheers from their audience and, seemingly at the end of her patience, Masako excused herself from the room, "I'll be at base if you need me."
John opened his mouth, his hand even reached for her, but Masako was gone.
"Well, it's been awhile since someone gave Masako a proper set-down, but somehow you made it no fun? Come on John, let's go help her lick her wounds," Ayako prompted, dismissing herself by taking the young priest's arm, tugging him along with no resistance.
They were left in silence, but it was very loud in Mai's head.
There is only one truth.
Unable to hold them back, the words pushed past Mai's lips, "It's not him."
Madame Miyuki stepped away from the table, giving Mai her undivided attention.
"Joji? Of course not, mon ami."
Mai cast a look at the lingering cleaning team, and seeing this, they began to busy themselves again. Once Madame Miyuki was within earshot, she persisted, her voice lowered,
"No, I mean...it's not Mr. Miyuki."
Madame Miyuki tilted her head,
"You feel this?"
"I know this."
Madame Miyuki let out a thoughtful hum, and then reached a hand up to brush Mai's bangs out of her eyes,
"Mon ami, I have been interacting with the other side since I was very small, but even still, I find it very hard to know anything for sure. The messages we receive from spirits can be complex, and sometimes even impossible to unravel. Even when we do our best, we still can be mistaken. I am afraid whatever Mr. Miyuki was trying to communicate with you has been lost in translation."
"But the aggression and destruction of the activity," Bou-san protested, "That stage light could have killed Nari. How can you reconcile it with what you knew of Mr. Miyuki?"
An expression of sorrow passed over Madame Miyuki's face,
"It is very difficult to accept, but with his own daughter destroying his legacy— his very soul must be filled with unrest and torment."
She believes it's him.
Mai swallowed through the burning in her throat, the intuitive urge to argue— I'm not mistaken!— but there were still many sets of eyes watching around the room, and she could see herself, that Madame Miyuki would not be shaken from her belief.
Madame Miyuki gave her a gentle smile, as if she sympathized with Mai's disappointment, her eyes almost saying: don't worry, mon ami— you'll get it right next time.
"It's getting late in the day now," the woman continued, putting an arm around Mai's shoulder, "before we know it will be time for the announcement. We should head back, no?"
The announcement, which Naru would make, without ever knowing of the other ghost.
Mai nodded, and found herself being lead from the room, exchanging a serious look with the monk who followed her out.
"How are you feeling?" Madame Miyuki wondered, once they had put some distance between them and the banquet hall, the cleaning team's listening ears no longer a factor.
Mai's skin felt prickly, her thoughts an endless loop of: it's not him, it's not him, it's not him...
"Hm? I'm fine."
"I'm so glad. I told the doctor I would check on you often. Would you feel well enough then, do you think, to do me a favor?"
Mai blinked over at the medium curiously, "A favor..?"
"Yes, I need to speak with Joji before I leave. He should be in his office, could you bring him to me?"
"Sure," Mai agreed.
"Oy, not without me," Bou-san interjected.
"Ah, thank you both. I will meet you at base."
"I meant it when I said I would never let you out of my sight again," the monk muttered as they turned off on another hall, separating from Madame Miyuki.
Despite the tension, Mai managed a smile.
"My future husband might have something to say about that."
"Pfft, Naru will get over it."
Mai gave Bou-san a small shove,
"Hey...don't just say things like that."
"You look like tomato again."
A beat passed. The monk waited for a snappy comeback, but instead she sighed.
"It didn't work, Bou-san. Madame Miyuki doesn't believe in the other ghost."
"I know. Our cannon misfired."
"I've been thinking a lot today..."
"Don't hurt yourself now—"
"The sighting I had in the hall. Why did he show himself that day?"
Recognizing the earnest tone of her voice, monk dropped his casual attitude, and nodded for her continue.
"Mr. Miyuki's been in hiding...from Madame Miyuki, from Masako...and he's sworn me to secrecy— but then, after all that effort, he appears in the hallway for anyone to see?"
"That doesn't seem right," the monk murmured, his brow furrowing.
"And then there's that message this morning—"
"A very public announcement that he's here..." Bou-san corroborated, following her train of thought.
Mai faced her partner with unwavering certainty,
"You see, it can't be him."
The monk returned her look with a dark one,
"Then that leaves only one other possibility."
"Which is..?"
"Something here is impersonating him," the monk concluded grimly.
"The other ghost..."
"It would seem so."
"But why?"
"I don't know, but impersonation shows a high level of intelligence for a spirit and you were warned by Mr. Miyuki himself to be careful. I don't like the sound of this, Mai. Things are getting dangerous."
Mai's footsteps slowed, even as her heart raced. Ahead of them was the door to Mr. Sachi's office.
"I'll be careful Bou-san."
"Funny, I've heard that one before."
Hiding a guilty look, Mai reached over to knock at the door frame, the door slightly ajar. There was a pause and...no answer.
"Mr. Sachi?" Mai called, pushing at the door, which slowly swung open. Inside there was no playwright sitting behind a desk— in fact, there was no desk at all.
"Oy, are we at the right place?"
Mai stared around the room before her— cleared of all furniture, the walls empty of all memorabilia.
Just like Mr. Miyuki's office.
"Oh. He must be getting his office painted too."
The monk crossed his arms and shrugged,
"Well, that's one thing we have going for us."
Mai tilted her head at him, "What?"
"He must feel secure that the theater won't close, or he wouldn't make all these arrangements."
A small grin began to grow on the monk's face as they left the room.
"What?" Mai asked again, feeling slightly annoyed, her nerves frayed with all the complexities of the case.
"Nothing. It just amuses me that in the end, Naru's decision won't matter. He can call it however he wants, but the power of love wins overall."
Mai twisted her lips, unable to smile along,
"That's nice, but can love overcome a dangerous spirit?"
"Hm, maybe not. But I know I can. I say let's wait it out."
Mai looked to the monk in surprise, "Wait it out...?"
"The decision will be made tonight, and fortunately I'm pretty sure about how it will go. Tomorrow there will be no more need to keep Mr. Miyuki's secret, right? The case will be over. So we spill everything, and then John and I— and who knows, maybe even Ayako might be willing to pitch in— exorcise the place. One final time, and rid it of this imposter, for good. I won't even charge Sachi for my extra labor if he promises to invite me to the wedding. I'm a sucker for free food."
Mai blinked blankly in the face of the monk's simple plan.
Could it really be that easy?
"Don't ask me to be your plus one," she finally managed, an unconscious throb running through her heart at the mention of the wedding between the playwright and Miss Miyuki.
Not fair.
The monk's grin softened and bit,
"Ah, still not over Sachi, hm?"
"Shut up, Monk."
"Want me to try to sabotage it?"
"Bou-san—"
Mai's reluctant smile fell as they approached base. She could hear the sounds of people arguing. Mai hesitated on the threshold. Inside it would be different. Inside, the announcement being made that night still mattered.
"...that is what I will be telling the people of Nozomi. There is proof enough. Mr. Miyuki is haunting this theater."
"You will tell them that he is a malicious spirit out to torment his patrons?"
Madame Miyuki drew in a sharp breath at Naru's matter-of-fact rebuke.
"Malicious? Mr. Miyuki is a beloved symbol of Nozomi."
"What else would you call the destruction of his so called presence?"
"It's is protest from beyond. A cry for help."
"Because of Miss Miyuki's plans?"
"Yes, absolument."
"And you know this because he has told you?"
"No."
"No?"
"I haven't seen him for the past six months—" the woman admitted, a catch to her voice, but, then—noticing Mai standing in the doorway— a new energy filled her, and she declared, "but Mai has."
Mai suddenly felt as if the floor had dropped out from under her, one hand gripping the door frame. The next moment, a loud scoff pierced through the static in her ears. Masako had stood, and was speaking.
"What does that signify? So have I."
"I'm not talking about the hall incident, Masako-chan."
Mai's heart clenched as the implication of these words settled over the room. Ayako's intense gaze fell on her first,
"You've been seeing Mr. Miyuki's spirit?"
Before Mai could even part her lips, a perfume of lilies filled the air as someone brushed passed her.
"Oh really?" Miss Miyuki spoke, "where's the evidence?"